# BMI-only FAQ Questions about collecting **height and weight to calculate BMI**. This process does **not** use health records, clinic charts, prescriptions, or medical-history interviews. Pair with `communication.md` (how to ask) and `objection.md` (pushback). --- ## Scope **In scope** - Height, current weight, units, date last weighed - How BMI is calculated from those numbers - Why we do not look up medical files **Out of scope (do not answer as if we collect them)** - Diagnoses, medications, labs - Access to doctor or hospital records - Tobacco, conditions, or family history If asked about those: *We are not collecting that here. This file is BMI from height and weight only.* --- ## For customers ### Why do you need my height and weight? To calculate BMI (body mass index). BMI is weight relative to height. We use only the numbers you provide. ### Will you pull my health records? No. This BMI capture does not request, download, or match medical records. There is no clinic lookup in this step. ### What is BMI? A number from this formula: - **Metric:** kg ÷ (height in meters)² - **US customary:** 703 × lb ÷ (height in inches)² It is a ratio, not a medical diagnosis and not a copy of a doctor’s note. ### Will you tell me my BMI? Yes, if you want it, after we have height and weight. It is the calculated result of those two inputs. ### Do you need my doctor’s weight? No. A home scale, gym scale, or any recent scale you trust is enough. We record *your stated* weight and the date. We do not need a printout from a clinic. ### Do I have to be exact? Give the most accurate current scale reading you can. A large guess changes BMI. If you are unsure, say it is an estimate and weigh in when you can. ### What if I do not know my weight? Share the last reading you remember and when it was, or weigh yourself and send the number. We will not fill the gap from medical records. ### Morning weight, clothes, or shoes? Use a recent scale weight in normal clothes is fine. Height is better without shoes if you know it. We are not comparing to a hospital chart. ### What if I am muscular / BMI feels “wrong”? BMI does not separate muscle from fat. We still record true height and weight. We do not adjust the number using medical files or extra tests in this process. ### What if I am at a low weight? We still only need accurate height and current weight. We do not investigate *why* through health records. ### My weight changes every day. Which do I give? One recent typical reading (for example this morning) plus the date. Not your all-time high or low. ### Can I use a goal weight or an old weight? Use current weight. A goal or a number from years ago is not this BMI. We can update when you have a new scale reading. ### Can I refuse? Yes. Without height and weight we cannot calculate BMI from your information. We will not substitute a number from records. ### Who sees these numbers? Only the people handling this BMI capture, as your process allows. It is height, weight, date, and calculated BMI — not a medical chart. ### Do you store this with my medical history? No. Keep this file as BMI inputs only. Do not mix it into a health-record packet. ### Why don’t you just use my last physical? Because this workflow is designed **not** to use health records. You tell us height and weight; we calculate BMI. --- ## How BMI is grouped (optional, illustrative) These labels are for explaining the *number*, not for pulling diagnoses. | BMI (approx.) | Common label used in general BMI charts | | --- | --- | | Below 18.5 | Underweight range | | 18.5–24.9 | Typical “healthy weight” range on public BMI charts | | 25.0–29.9 | Overweight range on public BMI charts | | 30.0 and above | Obesity range on public BMI charts (often subclassed 30–34.9, 35–39.9, 40+) | Say clearly: *This is the chart category for the calculated BMI. It is not a doctor’s diagnosis and not from your records.* --- ## For staff ### What is the minimum to capture? Whose BMI, height + units, weight + units, when weighed (or estimate). Read back. ### Metric vs imperial? Accept either. Convert carefully (1 in = 2.54 cm; 1 kg ≈ 2.2046 lb). Confirm the converted figures. Calculate BMI in one consistent unit system. ### May we round? Do not round in a way that changes BMI a lot. If they say 5'10.5", record it. If they say “about 200,” mark **estimate**. ### What if they start listing medical problems? Acknowledge once: *We are not recording medical history for this.* Return to height and weight. ### What if they offer to send lab work or a portal screenshot? Decline for this process: *We do not use health records for BMI. A scale weight is enough.* ### What if they want us to “look it up”? > We do not look up records. Please tell us height and the last scale weight. ### Never - Request HIPAA medical-record release for this BMI step - Copy weight from an old chart “to save time” - Coach a lower or higher weight - Label the person with a disease from BMI alone --- ## Short answers | They ask | You say | | --- | --- | | Why weight? | To calculate BMI from height and weight. | | Will you use my medical file? | No. | | I don’t know my weight. | Last scale reading and date, or weigh in and send it. | | Can you get it from my doctor? | No. We only use what you tell us. | | What is my BMI? | We will calculate it from the height and weight you gave. | | Can I skip this? | Then we cannot complete a BMI from your information. | --- ## Disclaimer These FAQs are for a **self-reported height/weight BMI** workflow. They are not medical advice and not a substitute for clinical assessment.